Tigers sign Pez

Kicker: Ramiro Pez has helped Rotherham to National League One success

2:31PM BST 12 May 2003

Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards has backed new signing Ramiro Pez to make a major impact at Welford Road after the Italian fly-half agreed a three-year deal with the Premiership giants.

Pez, who has spent the last two seasons with National League One champions Rotherham, will link up with the Tigers after the World Cup and described his move to the midlands as "a brilliant opportunity".

The 24-year-old has won 14 international caps, including four as Italy made significant strides during this year's Six Nations campaign, and has been earmarked as the long-term successor to ageing Azzurri stand-off Diego Dominguez.

Leicester have used three different starting fly-halves - Austin Healey, Sam Vesty and Craig McMullen - during a season in which they have been knocked off their perch both domestically and in Europe.

But Richards believes Pez, who is likely to play a significant role for Italy at the World Cup, will bring an exciting dimension to the Tigers' play and is looking forward to seeing him in action come the autumn.

"Ramiro is a really exciting player and I'm delighted that he will be joining us. He has a good left foot, but is far more than a kicking fly-half," said Richards.

"He takes the ball up to the gain line extremely well and is just the kind of player who will put opposition defences on the back foot.

"I'm sure he will become a real favourite with our supporters. He is a very likeable young man who is extremely dedicated to training."

Pez has won the National League One title in successive seasons with Rotherham but could not pass up the opportunity of signing a three-year contract with the Tigers.

"I'm so happy to be coming to Leicester," he said.

"I've had two great years at Rotherham and have made some really good friends there, but this is a brilliant opportunity for me.

"The club has had so much success over the last few years and I really want to be part of that. I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far. The facilities are excellent and everybody has made me feel very welcome.

"I can't wait for my first game - it will be a very big moment for me."